Take Responsibility.

[kingmakereffect]

For the third time, those elevator doors at the end of the first-floor corridor open up at the end of the allotted investigation period; the ride down is, as ever, smooth and quick-moving. You're down by five. When the doors slide open, the podium circle still stands in stark contrast to that now-familiar black void of a courtroom, and once again, it's changed to reflect your losses – Caren and Mion have joined those with podiums draped in black, their framed greyscale profile portraits staring out at the rest of you. (The portrait of Pearl hasn't been removed from her room, but it seems the Kingmaker has replaced it with another; either way, her photograph is in the courtroom along with the rest.) As before, the Kingmaker waits until everyone is settled at their podiums before he speaks; he still isn't visible, but he can clearly be heard, his voice coming from everywhere and nowhere all at once. "Capable has been taken from you. I'll confirm one thing for you so no one will waste time asking – the killer wasn't me. Looks like the guilty decided to take a shot at Rule Seven after all – and whether they succeed or not is up to you." Twenty-two Survivors remain. We'll see how many the group has lost at the end of the day.

Comments

[capyper]

[ ... ]

Are you going somewhere with that line of thought, or just chewin' the fat?

[bloodisthicker]

Well, you keep subtly correcting everyone on how the sequence of events may have played out... and you're familiar with swordplay, and you know a variety of knots but don't seem like the sort of person who routinely goes around hanging people.

It's nothing concrete, but it certainly looks suspicious.

[capyper]

You've been paying so much attention to me, wow! I'm super flattered!

... But you're right. It's nothing concrete.

[cherryblooded]

It's not. Though... if I was going to bet on anyone to defeat Mion at a game of cards, a god of fortune wouldn't be a bad bet.

[capyper]

... That would make sense. If I were a real god of fortune, that is.

[cherryblooded]

[Blink, blink.]

You're not?

[capyper]

Did I say I wasn't?

[ Ah yes, now is the time to become a literal genie. ]

Anyway, I'll tell you something irrefutable. Mion beat me every time that we played cards with each other.

[cherryblooded]

[Yes, now is absolutely the time to become as much of an asshole as possible.]

...That might be true. But you've pointed out repeatedly, we don't know the exact order of events. So that might not even be relevant.

[capyper]

You're right! So I think we should probably get back to something that is relevant. Like discussing the evidence and proof and all that.

[psychoh]

... S-So, she won. Did she?

[capyper]

Won what, exactly?

[psychoh]

The card game, in the game room. We, we all thought she lost, because she's dead... But, she could've won. A-And whoever lost, didn't just accept it...

[capyper]

Nope. Totally wrong! We didn't make any bets with each other.

... We did make each other an agreement, though.

[psychoh]

... About what? If you don't mind my asking.

[capyper]

Maybe I'll tell you later! If I feel like it.

Anyway, the point is that Mion and I did play cards together on Thursday night. But it wasn't for a penalty or a bet... we just wanted to play cards with each other.

[happysweets]

Are you really trying to say this murder happened because someone lost a card game against Mion...?

[ Considering the first one, she shouldn't be so surprised, but... ]

[uro_cyon]

He told me he grants wishes, if that matters.

Paging Mods

[sleepingkogoro]

[Mouri suddenly stops doodling on the surface of his podium. Yato? The culprit?

Several tiny details flashed in his mind, specifically one. What was up with Yato focusing on the pen Mouri was holding? And hadn't there been said...

"So you have one of those pens too, huh?"]

Whoever has that metal piece thing, give it to me!

[As soon as he receives it he's going to compare it to his own pen. Does it seem like the piece could have come from a pen?]

[pokexplorer]

Ah, right. Here, Mr. Mouri.

[Passing the piece over!]

[trustharder]

[...It does.]

[bloodisthicker]

Well, you certainly have a commanding presence. How could I not?

[...he's got to be delicate here, actually...]

It does say you don't like taking risks, though, so I guess you might not like gambling that much.

[capyper]

Ooh, I love gambling! I just don't win at it often. Much... At all, really.

[bloodisthicker]

Oh, really? I hope you're not a sore loser, then. You wouldn't believe how many reports show up on my desk about someone who just couldn't accept that they lost a game of Pai Sho.

[capyper]

No, I'm just chronically out of money...

[bloodisthicker]

...

You really shouldn't gamble, then......